New Delhi: Iran’s military commander Qassem Soleimani’s assassination by the US has taken Twitter by storm.
Here are the first reactions of US President Donald Trump and Iran’s President Hassan Rouhani.
The flag of General Soleimani in defense of the country's territorial integrity and the fight against terrorism and extremism in the region will be raised, and the path of resistance to US excesses will continue. The great nation of Iran will take revenge for this heinous crime.
— Hassan Rouhani (@HassanRouhani) January 3, 2020
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 3, 2020
US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo tells us this is a video of Iraqis celebrating Soleimani’s killing. If you say so, Mr Secretary.
Iraqis — Iraqis — dancing in the street for freedom; thankful that General Soleimani is no more. pic.twitter.com/huFcae3ap4
— Secretary Pompeo (@SecPompeo) January 3, 2020
US Democratic Senator Chris Murphy’s mistrust of Trump runs so deep that he questions President’s actions.
Soleimani was an enemy of the United States. That’s not a question.
The question is this – as reports suggest, did America just assassinate, without any congressional authorization, the second most powerful person in Iran, knowingly setting off a potential massive regional war?
— Chris Murphy (@ChrisMurphyCT) January 3, 2020
US presidential hopeful Democratic Senator Elizabeth Warren is equally worried by the manner of Soleimani’s killing.
Soleimani was a murderer, responsible for the deaths of thousands, including hundreds of Americans. But this reckless move escalates the situation with Iran and increases the likelihood of more deaths and new Middle East conflict. Our priority must be to avoid another costly war.
— Elizabeth Warren (@ewarren) January 3, 2020
Naturally, the Republicans rally behind the President—here’s Senator Lindsey Graham as cheer leader.
This action by President Trump and our military was in direct response to Iranian aggression orchestrated by General Soleimani and his proxies.
— Lindsey Graham (@LindseyGrahamSC) January 3, 2020
Islamic influencer Imam Tawhidi sees a war ahead.
https://twitter.com/Imamofpeace/status/1213008328965492736?s=20
Security studies professor at MIT Vipin Narang sees a possible world war around the corner.
https://twitter.com/NarangVipin/status/1212933233937010688
Meanwhile, historian Ali Khan Mahmudabad digs up an old Trump tweet about former President Barack Obama that could apply equally to him.
When @realDonaldTrump decides to follow his prediction from 2012 to win an election! https://t.co/no7XKKgLlH
— Ali Khan Mahmudabad (@Mahmudabad) January 3, 2020
Closer home, the death of over 100 children at a hospital in Kota, Rajasthan, has shocked everyone but politicians seem to be looking the other way.
There’s a Congress government in Rajasthan but party leaders Rahul and Priyanka Gandhi chose to tweet about social reformer and educationist Savitribai Phule instead.
भारतीय समाज में लड़कियों और दलितों के लिए शिक्षा के दरवाजे खोलने वाली पहली महिला अध्यापिका सावित्रीबाई फुले की जयंती पर सादर नमन। pic.twitter.com/yg2wNFJQm8
— Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) January 3, 2020
महिलाओं और वंचित तबकों की शिक्षा से ही समाज में बदलाव के बीज डाले जा सकते हैं।
जब माता #SavitribaiPhule ने पुणे में लड़कियों के लिए पहला स्कूल खोला तब उच्च वर्ग के लोगों ने खूब उलाहना दी। लेकिन सावित्रीबाई फुले अपने संकल्प पर अडिग रहीं।
महान चिंतक और क्रांति की वाहक को नमन। pic.twitter.com/eJtodswCR8
— Priyanka Gandhi Vadra (@priyankagandhi) January 3, 2020
Former BJP chief minister of Rajasthan Vasundara Raje joins the Gandhis in remembering Phule.
भारत की प्रथम शिक्षिका एवं महान समाज सेविका 'क्रांतिज्योति' सावित्रीबाई फुले जी की जयंती पर उन्हें सादर वंदन। महिला विरोधी कुरीतियों को ध्वस्त कर देश में नारी सम्मान की जो परिभाषा उन्होंने रची है, वह सदियों तक मानव समाज को प्रेरित करती रहेंगी।#SavitribaiPhule pic.twitter.com/JxaoiPaqrE
— Vasundhara Raje (@VasundharaBJP) January 3, 2020
Columnist Tavleen Singh recalls how an older generation of BJP leaders reacted to revolutionary Pakistani poet Faiz Ahmed Faiz’s poetry.
Soon after Faiz wrote the poem that is being examined by Indian academics for an anti-Hindu’ plot, I happened to meet his daughter. She gave me a tape recording. I played it for Jaswant Singh and Atalji and they loved it. How the BJP has changed!
— Tavleen Singh (@tavleen_singh) January 3, 2020
Actor Swara Bhasker has found the best attitude to deal with her trolls — bemusement.
— Swara Bhasker (@ReallySwara) January 2, 2020